After handing back an exam, you receive a phone call from a parent who believes their child should have received a better grade. You set up a meeting with the parent, stating that you'd be glad to take a second look at it with them. During the meeting, the parent seems to give the impression that their child knows the material better than yourself insisting that they are right.
Understanding the Situation
a. What might be some underlying causes of the situation that you need to think about?
- Initially have the idea that the parent is always going to believe they are correct - Family issues at home - Student may not have resources to use help them study - Don't have good study habbits - Unorganized with their study materials -Parents may have higher expectations than their son/daughter
b. Are there resources within your school that might be of help? If so who and what questions should you ask them?
-Utilizing computer lab after school? -Staying after school for any extra help? -There may be a homework club that is available/what days they are held?
c. Are there other resources that might be helpful?
-Guidance counselor can help relationship between student and parent -Ask other colleagues how the student is performing/Ask their opinion on the situation
A Solution
As a teacher, you will often try to address problems by preventing them. That said, things happen in classrooms that cannot be anticipated beforehand and you will have to make decisions about how to address the situation.
a. Decide whether your action is proactive (action aimed at preventing problem) or reactive (action occurs after situation develops).
Proactive because we are highlighting the possible resources that will prevent the problem in the future.
b. Decide what grade level you will "solve" this problem for.
Across all grade levels. Not limited to a specific grade
c. Describe what you'll do.
When dealing with parents, be as respectful as possible. Make sure you communicate well so the parents know you honor their point of view. Make sure to not overreact, and speak in a calm and confident manor. Make sure the best interest of the student is always the main initiative of the parent/teacher conference.
d. Describe how you anticipate your action(s) will affect the situation.
Actions will help both the student, parents, and ourselves.
Solution Consequences
Before you act to address a classroom situation, you have to anticipate possible consequences of your actions. Spell out some of these effects here:
a. How will you action be perceived by your students?
Display that you actually care about their progress.
b. How will your action affect the learning climate in your classroom?
c. What might your students learn from your action? (Be sure to note both positive and negative lessons.)
d. How will your students' parents react to their child's account of your action? (Remember that they will put their own "spin" on what you do.)
e. How will your administrator(s) react to your action?
The Situation
Describe the situation here:After handing back an exam, you receive a phone call from a parent who believes their child should have received a better grade. You set up a meeting with the parent, stating that you'd be glad to take a second look at it with them. During the meeting, the parent seems to give the impression that their child knows the material better than yourself insisting that they are right.
Understanding the Situation
a. What might be some underlying causes of the situation that you need to think about?
- Initially have the idea that the parent is always going to believe they are correct
- Family issues at home
- Student may not have resources to use help them study
- Don't have good study habbits
- Unorganized with their study materials
-Parents may have higher expectations than their son/daughter
b. Are there resources within your school that might be of help? If so who and what questions should you ask them?
-Utilizing computer lab after school?
-Staying after school for any extra help?
-There may be a homework club that is available/what days they are held?
c. Are there other resources that might be helpful?
-Guidance counselor can help relationship between student and parent
-Ask other colleagues how the student is performing/Ask their opinion on the situation
A Solution
As a teacher, you will often try to address problems by preventing them. That said, things happen in classrooms that cannot be anticipated beforehand and you will have to make decisions about how to address the situation.a. Decide whether your action is proactive (action aimed at preventing problem) or reactive (action occurs after situation develops).
Proactive because we are highlighting the possible resources that will prevent the problem in the future.
b. Decide what grade level you will "solve" this problem for.
Across all grade levels. Not limited to a specific grade
c. Describe what you'll do.
When dealing with parents, be as respectful as possible. Make sure you communicate well so the parents know you honor their point of view. Make sure to not overreact, and speak in a calm and confident manor. Make sure the best interest of the student is always the main initiative of the parent/teacher conference.
d. Describe how you anticipate your action(s) will affect the situation.
Actions will help both the student, parents, and ourselves.
Solution Consequences
Before you act to address a classroom situation, you have to anticipate possible consequences of your actions. Spell out some of these effects here:a. How will you action be perceived by your students?
Display that you actually care about their progress.
b. How will your action affect the learning climate in your classroom?
c. What might your students learn from your action? (Be sure to note both positive and negative lessons.)
d. How will your students' parents react to their child's account of your action? (Remember that they will put their own "spin" on what you do.)
e. How will your administrator(s) react to your action?
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BOTTOM LINE: I SHOULD...